Browse Items (14 total)

Parrot Records was Deejay Al Benson's second record company venture after his first failed. Although the company failed as a commercial enterprise, it succeeded in producing influential recordings by bluesmen, solo R&B performers, and vocal harmony…

Club DeLisa (2 Locations), was one of Chicago's most famous "black and tans," interracial clubs during the Jim Crow era. The venue was open 25 years—Depression era through late 50s. When the original location burned down, the New Club De Lisa opened…

One of the first "black and tans" in Chicago owned by Jack Johnson, the world's first African American heavyweight boxing champion. The club had a tragically short run of only four months as Johnson was arrested for violating the “white slave…

One of Chicago's famous queer cabarets, the Cabin Inn (or Cozy Cabin Inn) opened in Bronzeville in 1933 just south of the World's Fair grounds. Owned by Jack Hardy and Nathan "Big" Ivy, the fan dancing Gilda Gray was the venue's original hostess and…

The Forum is a beautiful 1897 social and assembly hall at the corner of 43rd and Calumet adjacent to the 43rd Street Green Line station.

Built by Chicago Alderman, and later California Congressman, William E. Kent and his father Albert E. Kent,…

The Regal, also known as The Avalon, was a major complex that featured films, dance, music, and comedy. The theater was a prominent entertainment venue for over four decades in Chicago, it opened its doors on February 4, 1928 in Bronzeville. Designed…

Also known as Tierney's Auto Inn, this venue was adjacent to the Sunset Cafe and seems to have been a part of or owned by Pershing Palace, which was opened with the Pershing Hotel at 61st and Cottage Grove.

Also known as Pekin Theater, Pekin Cafe, and Pekin Cabaret, this was said to be the first theater in Chicago to feature Black entertainment for interracial audiences.

Also known as Bottom's Dreamland Cafe, for Bill Bottom who re-opened the venue in 1917, Dreamland Cafe was part of a wave of "black & tan" cabarets that opened in the early 20th century across Bronzeville. Opened on the Stroll on October 7, 1914,…

Also known as the New Club De Lisa and the Unusual Revue, the Club DeLisa was one of Chicago's most famous "black and tans," interracial clubs that flourished in vice districts during the Jim Crow era. The venue was open for 25 years spanning the…

One of Chicago's famous queer cabaret's, the Cabin Inn (or Cozy Cabin Inn) opened in Bronzeville in 1933 just south of the World's Fair grounds. Owned by Jack Hardy and Nathan "Big" Ivy, the fan dancing Gilda Gray was the venue's original hostess and…

Critically important "black and tan" venue for interracial jazz audiences in Chicago. The building, a large garage-style structure, was declared a landmark site in Chicago in September 1998.

This opulent art deco building, originally known as the Washington Park Armory, was built in 1931 to hold military training exercises. In 1970 the building was renamed "The General Jones Armory" in honor of military hero General Richard Lee Jones. In…

Originally known as Club Alvadere (1920-22) and The Nest Club (1922-26), The Apex was an afterhours spot on the second floor across from the Chicago Defender owned by Joe Louis' manager Julian Black. It catered to wealthier whites and was a spot…